The Salary You Need to Afford the Average Home Just Fell. But It's Still Six Figures

Study: Connecticut fifth least affordable state in country

Connecticut is one of the worst states in the country for affordability, according to a recent study from WalletHub. The study ranks which states are the “best” to live in by comparing affordability, the economy, health and education, safety, and the overall quality of life. Connecticut ranks above average on every metric, except for affordability, which drags down the state’s overall ranking. WalletHub ranks Connecticut as the 46th least afford…

5 most and least affordable states for first-time homebuyers in 2026

Buying a first home means different things depending on where you live. LendingTree found the share who can afford one ranges from 62% to 17%

The Salary You Need to Afford the Average Home Just Fell. But It's Still Six Figures

By: Liliana Hall – Editor: Katherine Peach The annual income needed to afford the typical U.S. home fell to $109,796 this year, according to a new analysis from Redfin. While that’s slightly below last year’s record high of $110,382, the amount is still about $22,000 higher than the median U.S. household income of $87,599 — underscoring how far homeownership remains out of reach for many Americans. Homebuying affordability has essentially held …